by Shawna Sutherland

Created on: March 27, 2009

If you went around polling the general public and their thoughts on "true beauty" you would see a pattern in their answers. Have you heard of the old adage "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"..over time this saying has gotten lost in translation by slanderous media propaganda and what is considered to be the ideal. Beauty can be found anywhere and take on various forms. We are lead to believe otherwise because of what is seen on a day to day basis. I feel we need to come together and inform instead of conform to the masses. True beauty is being comfortable in one's own skin...what we consider to be flaws are actually our own works of art....real life masterpieces....like how we are unique and distinguished by our fingerprints and should not be viewed in a negative light. It is as though we are supposed to be made from the same mould...otherwise known as the cookie cutter effect. Anytime there is someone who doesn't fit that mould is automatically subject to being ridiculed and outcast by their peers.

Who made this "ideal" up anyways, who said that this is how we should look and anything otherwise is an error or not worthy of the same wants, needs and desires. I personally, am sick of looking at this life size hangers deemed "models." Variety is the spice of life they always say...but what life? If indeed, variety is the solution than we have failed miserably and need to take charge. Stereotypes are reinforced that hairy is not beautiful- I am trying to prove the opposite - having hairy arms is indeed beautiful and if you are hairy you can still be very successful. And there are many gorgeous women on this earth who definitely are perfect candidates for proving that statement.

Advertisers are projecting a false image of women. For years they have been displaying an ideal which is impossible to attain and not even realistic to aspire to. For a majority of young women this image is constantly displayed on television, in magazines, commercials, and other media. All promote the tall, thin and hairless body as glamorous. Now that we are in the new millennium, it is time for new beginnings for progression. Today's men and women should try to accept they way they are and know that they have true beauty inside as well as out. Instead of focusing on what society's expectations are, they should be dwelling on positive thoughts about themselves and realize they are exactly the way they want themselves to be emotionally and physically. There are no mistakes only great discoveries. The more they think of themselves in a positive manner, the more they will be able to develop their self-esteem. Following the example of the most high-profile models is not the way to go.

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